Thanksgiving, as traditionally celebrated in the United States, is often portrayed as a harmonious feast between Pilgrims and Native Americans, but this narrative omits the complex and painful history experienced by Indigenous peoples, including the Cherokee. To understand Thanksgiving from a Cherokee perspective, we need to consider their unique cultural traditions, history of colonization, and evolving relationship with the holiday.
The Cherokee people, like many Indigenous nations, have long practiced gratitude as an integral part of their culture. Ceremonies like the Green Corn Ceremony are longstanding practices that celebrate the harvest and the interconnectedness of the people, the land, and the Creator. These ceremonies are deeply spiritual and communal, rooted in the Cherokee worldview that values balance, harmony, and respect for nature. These ceremonies predate the Pilgrims’ arrival and reflect a deep connection to the land, respect for nature, and interdependence within the community. This traditional ethos of gratitude can align with the broader idea of Thanksgiving, but it is not dependent on the holiday’s historical narrative.
The arrival of European settlers disrupted Cherokee life in profound ways. Colonization led to the loss of land, forced assimilation, and devastating policies such as the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which culminated in the Trail of Tears—a forced relocation that caused immense suffering and death among the Cherokee.
While Thanksgiving is often associated with cooperation and mutual respect in popular narratives, for many Native Americans, including the Cherokee, it is a reminder of the broken promises, displacement, and cultural erasure that followed colonization. For the Cherokee, giving thanks was not confined to one day; it was a way of life, embedded in rituals and daily practices that honored the Creator and the Earth’s abundance. Many Indigenous communities observe National Day of Mourning on Thanksgiving, using it as an opportunity to honor their ancestors, advocate for Indigenous rights, and challenge the dominant narrative.
The Cherokee people’s views on Thanksgiving vary widely, reflecting a mix of traditional values, historical experiences, and personal or community practices. While the holiday itself is not originally part of Cherokee culture, many Cherokee individuals and communities approach Thanksgiving in ways that blend their own traditions of gratitude with modern family and community gatherings.
Green Corn Ceremony
The Cherokee Green Corn Ceremony is closely tied to the story of Selu, the Corn Mother, who is considered the first woman and the bringer of corn. In Cherokee legend, Selu sacrificed herself to provide food for her children, and her blood became the first corn. This myth underscores the sacred nature of corn and its central role in Cherokee spirituality and culture.
The Green Corn Ceremony, traditionally held in late summer or early fall when the corn ripens, celebrates the first harvest of the year. Corn is not just a staple food but a sacred gift in Cherokee and other Indigenous cultures, symbolizing life, sustenance, and the interconnectedness of all living things.
The Green Corn Ceremony is multi-day and involves a series of rituals that vary among tribes. Common elements include:
Ceremonial Fire
A sacred fire is central to the ceremony. The old fire is extinguished, and a new one is kindled, symbolizing renewal. Participants use this fire to burn old items and start fresh, often lighting their hearth fires from the ceremonial flames.
Feasting
Corn, beans, and squash—known as the “Three Sisters”—are central to the ceremonial meal. These crops, often cultivated together, symbolize sustainability and cooperation. The first corn of the season is prepared and shared in thanksgiving.
Dancing and Singing
Traditional dances and songs honor the Creator and the spirits of the corn, the Earth, and the ancestors. These performances are deeply spiritual and often involve intricate, symbolic movements.
Purification
Participants engage in rituals like fasting, bathing, and drinking herbal teas to cleanse their bodies and spirits. Sweat lodges or other forms of purification might also be part of the process.
Forgiveness and Renewal
Grudges and disputes are set aside during the ceremony. This act of communal reconciliation ensures harmony within the tribe as they move forward together.
Storytelling and Teachings
Elders often share stories, myths, and teachings, passing down knowledge about the importance of corn, the land, and cultural traditions.
For the Cherokee people, the Green Corn Ceremony represents much more than a celebration of harvest—it is a reaffirmation of their spiritual beliefs, cultural identity, and enduring connection to the land. By participating in this sacred tradition, the Cherokee honor their ancestors and ensure the continuation of their values and way of life.
While the traditional Green Corn Ceremony is no longer practiced universally among the Cherokee, many aspects of it have been preserved and revitalized by cultural leaders and communities. Some Cherokee groups hold ceremonies adapted to modern contexts while maintaining core themes of gratitude, renewal, and community. These efforts are part of a broader movement to reclaim and strengthen Cherokee traditions and identity.
National Day of Mourning
The National Day of Mourning began in 1970 when Wamsutta Frank James, a Wampanoag leader, was invited to speak at a Massachusetts banquet commemorating the 350th anniversary of the Pilgrims’ arrival at Plymouth Rock. When organizers saw his planned speech, which critiqued the colonization of Native peoples and exposed the devastating impact of the Pilgrims’ arrival, they rescinded his invitation. In response, Wamsutta and others gathered at Cole’s Hill in Plymouth, Massachusetts, to hold the first National Day of Mourning.This gathering was intended to honor Native ancestors, acknowledge their suffering, and protest the historical inaccuracies in the mainstream Thanksgiving narrative.
The National Day of Mourning offers a platform to:
Honor Indigenous Ancestors
Participants pay tribute to Native peoples who endured displacement, violence, and cultural erasure due to colonization.
Educate and Challenge Myths
The event seeks to dismantle the myth of Thanksgiving as a harmonious gathering between Pilgrims and Native Americans. It exposes the harsh realities of colonization, including the genocide, forced assimilation, and broken treaties that followed.
Highlight Contemporary Issues
The Day of Mourning is not just about the past; it brings attention to ongoing challenges facing Native communities, such as land disputes, environmental degradation, systemic racism, and efforts to preserve Indigenous languages and cultures.
Foster Solidarity and Resilience
It is a day of unity for Native people and their allies, emphasizing resilience and the enduring strength of Indigenous cultures.
The National Day of Mourning is a powerful reminder that the story of America’s founding is deeply intertwined with the stories of Native peoples—stories of resilience, survival, and resistance. By challenging the myth of Thanksgiving, the event encourages broader conversations about historical truth, justice, and the need for genuine reconciliation with Indigenous communities.
The day stands as a call to action, urging all Americans to reflect on whose lands they live on and to support the sovereignty, rights, and well-being of Native nations.